Moscow, Tehran, Baku define areas of cooperation in Caspian region - statement

TEHRAN, November 1. /TASS/. Moscow, Tehran and Baku intend to cooperate in multimodal transportation, maritime tourism and the preservation of aquatic resources, Presidents of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan Vladimir Putin, Hassan Rouhani and Ilham Aliyev said in a joint statement signed at their trilateral talks in Tehran. "The parties consider the Caspian Sea to be a sea of peace, friendship, security and cooperation, and emphasize the need to strengthen relations in fields such as cooperation between port administrations, multimodal transportation, maritime tourism, maritime navigation, the preservation of aquatic resources, environmental protection, the energy sphere, trade and economy," the statement reads. Besides, the three countries plan to boost cooperation in the research of the Caspian Sea, hydrography and meteorology. Moscow, Tehran and Baku also wish to enhance security and military cooperation, as well as interaction in managing emergencies in the Caspian region. The parties expressed satisfaction with the progress in talks on a draft convention concerning the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan confirmed their willingness "to ensure that this fundamental document is adopted as soon as possible by consensus of the coastal states." Read more